Jeri (Ledford) Nissen, November 28, 1941-March 21, 2021

 

Geraldine Marie “Jeri” Nissen November 28, 1941 – March 21, 2021

Jeri graduated from Point Arena High School in 1958, was engaged to Gary, and they had plans for the future. As often happens, life steps in, and those plans got changed. Like everyone, Jeri enjoyed good times and survived bad times during the next 40 years. A strong and caring person she raised 3 children, was a help to many people, and worked a variety of jobs. She was known as “the cool grandma” to her grandchildren.

 

In 1999 she and Gary reconnected at a high school reunion and spent the next 21 years together, living in Riverside for 18 months and then moving to Willits. They were married August 12, 2002. During those years they traveled a great deal, often on one of their motorcycles. She overcame her fear of flying and had the opportunity to visit many places in the US, something she had not been able to do before. Rocks from Death Valley and dirt from the Churchill Downs racetrack in Kentucky were among her favorite keepsakes. Bowling, Line Dancing, and tending her flower garden were three of her favorite activities and she excelled at all. She had many friends on the coast and made new ones everywhere she went. The last couple of years were challenging as Jeri developed a form of dementia. 

Jeri is survived by her husband Gary, her daughter Joni Murphy, her son Brent Pritchard, grandsons Riley and Mitchell, granddaughters Katie, Rebecca, and Breanna, and great granddaughter Avery.

She is also survived by her sisters, Dana (Ron) Galletti, Tracy (John) DuPont, and many nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles “Irv” & Dolores Ledford, and her son, Mark Kespohl. 

She will be missed and never forgotten.

 

I CRIED WHEN YOU PASSED AWAY, I STILL CRY TODAY. ALTHOUGH I LOVED YOU DEARLY, I COULDN’T MAKE YOU STAY. A GOLDEN HEART STOPPED BEATING, HARD WORKING HANDS AT REST. GOD BROKE MY HEART TO PROVE TO ME HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST. 

Jeri's obituary was published in the Independent Coast Observer, Gualala, on November 26, 2021

 

June 20, 2020 Reunion Cancelled

5 May 2020

Dear Pirates

I stubbornly waited for a coronavirus Hail Mary but it looks like I’ve waited in vain. It seems like all events have been cancelled/postponed until Summer’s end or later. All of the great crystal balls of the world are foggy. Will the NBA season end? When? Will a baseball season start? This year or the next? Will we have to wait until 2022 for the 49ers to win the Super Bowl, as they inevitably will? 

So I cancelled our June 20 reunion and don’t have a date in mind to reschedule to. My logical mind says that all should be well by October, but then I’m reminded that logic doesn’t apply to the decisions made by our “one-size-fits-all” state government. Here in Mendocino County we have 12 confirmed cases (seven of which are in one family in Covelo) and no deaths, but the lack of contagion here hasn’t spared our restaurants, hotels, and other small businesses from financial disaster. 

As always, each day Alice and I go to nearby Cook’s Beach to play ball with Radar for an hour. Sometimes it’s like our private beach, although other devoted dog owners plus a few intrepid young surfers share it with us. It’s like Heaven until we remember that the businesses and workers in our area don’t find it wonderful at all. 

I wish we could press on with the reunion in June but even if all is well soon there wouldn’t be enough time to get a good turnout, which is the primary objective of having a reunion. I’ll do the best I can and hope for the best for all of us.

Mike

Michael B. Combs

PO Box 1639

Gualala, CA 95445-1639

707-884-3741

mcombs@pacific.net

https://strongasanoxandnearlyassmart.blogspot.com/

Dear Point Arena Pirates, families and friends

The Class of 1960 takes great pleasure to announce a reunion of classes 1965 back to the beginning of time on June 20, 2020, 4pm to 10pm, at the Gualala Community Center. As in our previous 2010 and 2015 reunions, the class years invited will not be strictly followed but are just guidelines for attendance. 

Our dinner is catered by Black Oak Catering and twice each month I test their dishes at our Gualala Lions Club meetings in the Gualala Community Center. Music will be by Fast Company, a local trio, and Alice and I energetically danced to their music recently at a friend's birthday party at the Gualala Hotel. 

Other details are still in progress but the simplest part is sending me, Michael B. Combs, a check for $50 per person to PO Box 1639, Gualala, CA 95445. That covers all costs: dinner, most drinks, and all the decorations, hall rent, mailings, and other things I hope miraculously to take care of. As in all endeavors, the sooner I know that you are coming and I have your money in hand, the more expeditiously things can be done.  

I’ll be posting on our reunion here as new information is added.

Please take a look around our website and be inspired to submit or update your biographies posted hereupon. Pictures and information from past reunions, plus obituaries and tributes to departed schoolmates, are also posted here.

It’s easy to contact me. Email mcombs@pacific.net. Phone 707-884-3741, or for a real adventure call my cell phone, 707-321-7671.

Hail to the Pirates, of Point Arena High, 

We’re loyal forever, and we’ll shout it to the sky.

When the Blue and Gold are fighting, 

We know we’ll never fail. 

Onward to victory, 

Hail to the Pirates! Hail!

Mike Combs, Class of 1960

http://strongasanoxandnearlyassmart.blogspot.com

2020 Reunion Attendance List

February 1

Signed up already:

Michael and Alice Combs
Lawrence Girelli
Richard Scaramella
Roger and Judy Seymour
Sharron (Cooper) Porter
Randi and Clarice (Sorensen) Olsen
Chuck and Mickie York
Carolyn (York) and Charlie Biles
Darrell and Darlene Moralli
David and Lissa Schuler

Inns and Motels in the Gualala Area

INNS AND MOTELS

The Gualala Hotel is sadly closed again. It may reopen before June 20 and I'll update this if so.

Gualala Country Inn Very nice and a walk across the parking lot to our reunion.

Hotel Breakers Just a walk across Highway One to our reunion

Surf Motel Downtown Gualala, about a one-block walk

Sea Cliff Uptown Gualala, still only a short walk to our reunion

St Orres Only the best inn and restaurant on the coast, about two miles north of Gualala on Highway One (The King of Jordan dropped in on his Harley for lunch six years ago!)

Whale Watch Inn Five miles north of Gualala, just past Anchor Bay overlooking the beach.

Mar Vista Cottages A coast classic, five miles north of Gualala, just past Anchor Bay

North Coast Country Inn Five miles north of Gualala just past Anchor Bay, at the corner of Highway 1 and Fish Rock Road

Coast Guard House Inn At Arena Cove

Wharfmasters Inn At Arena Cove

Point Arena Lighthouse About 16 miles north, but well worth the drive!


VACATION HOMES (Very roomy and inexpensive for families and sharing with friends – Gualala and The Sea Ranch)

Serenisea Properties are primarily in the Gualala/Anchor Bay area

Coasting Home Gualala and The Sea Ranch

Vacation Rentals by Owner Great locations and prices

Sea Ranch Rentals Needs no explanation

Airbnb Gualala A great variety of homes and views

Rodney William Ferguson, June 26, 1942 - March 20, 2019

Rodney, Point Arena High School Class of 1960

Edward Fredrick Garrett 1933 - 2018

Edward Fredrick Garrett

History teacher and coach for the Class of 1960
Thanks, Ed. We learned a lot about living life after high school - hard work won't kill us, humor makes work easier , curiosity makes life forever a new experience.

1933 - 2018

Ed, Eddy, Daddy, Honey, Pappap, Coach, Mr. Garrett or the Red Baron...whatever name you knew him by, Edward Fredrick Garrett was, forever and always a teacher. Born March 8, 1933 in Sebastopol, California to the proud parents, Fred and Evelyn Garrett. At an early age, his family moved to the Sunny Breeze homestead in Point Arena, California where his love for the outdoors took root. He graduated from Point Arena High School in 1951. After graduation, Ed worked as a choke setter and mill-hand to help pay for his college education. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo as a poultry major, but switched gears and pursued his education degree at San Francisco State University. Beginning in 1956, Ed proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Mr. Garrett began his teaching career at an Oakland orphanage before returning home as a teacher and coach at Point Arena High School.
On December 16, 1961; Ed married Alice (Parks) Garrett, his best friend and wife of 57 years.
He moved his family to King City, California in 1965. For the next 27 years, Ed served as an enthusiastic high school referee and umpire, as well as coached many championship basketball and football teams. At each game, Ed was known to rock a pair of Red Socks for good luck. Several lucky brides and graduates had the honor of Ed donning the red socks at their special occasions. After retirement, Ed and Alice returned to build their home on Miller Ridge in Stewarts Point surrounded by redwoods and overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
On December 4, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, Ed Garrett passed away to join family, friends and pets in heaven. He is survived by his wife Alice, daughters Lisa Garrett, Stacey (Harold) Jones and Tiffany (Richard) Bianchi. Ed will be lovingly cherished by his seven grandchildren; Garrett (Kayleigh), Zachary, Riley, Bailey, Hannah, Emma and Mitchell, as well as his three great-grandsons; Logan, Landon and Liam. He will forever be remembered by his sister, various nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Ed will be remembered for his animated story telling, knowledge of All history, love of books and as an armchair coach for the Giants, 49ers and the Warriors. He has had a positive impact on the minds of his students, athletes, friends and family. His legacy continues through the people he has inspired to wear red socks and share a good story, including a laugh or two.
A private family memorial will be held underneath Old Solomon. A life celebration is being planned for March 2019. Donations may be made to the Shamli Hospice Program and North Sonoma Coast Volunteer Fire Department. Contact Fred Young Funeral in Cloverdale.

Published Online in the Press Democrat on Dec. 12, 2018